ITD:
While I agree that the captain should be familiar with the MOB function, I do not believe it would have made a bit of difference in this case. When considering the impact of the non-functioning MOB equipment (due to user error, apparently), the 4 foot swells present that evening, the darkness and the mount's speed of probably 15 knots must also be taken into account. These elements combined with frigid water and an intoxicated patron also under the influence of drugs and it is probable that he only lasted a few seconds before going under. Also, there was likely a delay of up to a few minutes before the stunned patrons who witnessed the accident were able to alert the captain and even if he had been instantaneously alerted of the accident and the MOB reading had been executed, it would have taken him some time to have been able to turn the ship around in a relatively narrow section of the lake (relative to the size of ship). As a result, in my opinion, the lack of a proper MOB reading likely was not a factor in this very unfortunate accident.
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